Memilih buah durian yang mana untuk dibeli adalah satu tugas yang bukan mudah kepada penggemar durian samada orang tempatan ataupun pelancong luar. Perkara pertama ialah untuk memilih jenis durian yang ingin dibeli dari penjual sebagaimana yang ditunjukkan oleh penjual. Selepas itu, langkah-langkah seterusnya mestilah memenuhi dua kriteria dibawah:

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Adakah buah durian itu sama dari segi rupa bentuk, warna dan ciri-ciri dengan durian yang hendak dibeli?

Sesetengah ciri-ciri luaran klon durian adalah berbeza dari klon-klon lain sementara yang lain pula mempunyai ciri-ciri yang agak sama. Kebolehan untuk mengenali ciri-ciri fizikal dan ciri-ciri isi buah akan memastikan buah durian itu dapat dikenalpasti dengan betul. 

 

Proper identification is crucial since market prices varies a lot between different high end, in-demand clones against the normal clones and the native varieties. Incorrect identification could lead to paying higher prices from the actual prices for a particular type of clone.

 

In terms of transparency of the durian sellers, well most of them are transparent when it comes to identifying the correct clones type but a small percentage are unsure or confused themselves with the clone types that their selling. I'm in the progress of putting up a page dedicated to the external physical identification of the commonly available durian clones in Malaysia.    

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Is the durian chosen meets the grade that it is selling for?

After you've correctly identified the durian clone is the one that you're intending to buy, the next step is to establish the grade of that particular fruit. Apart from its clone type, grading will also determine the price of the fruit.  Criteria that needs to be assessed by the potential buyer are:

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- Shape          : Fruit shall have a uniform shape either oval or rounded which is consistent with the                                      durian clone type. Any deformation will reduced its grading since a deformed fruit will                                lead to a deformed or reduced flesh volume. 

- Weight         : It shall have a weight at the top-end of that clone's particular weight range. A reduced                              weight even though within its acceptable range signifies less than ideal nutrition                                          during the fruit bearing stage or a weak/diseased tree from which the fruit originated.  

- Skin defects: Any skin punctures, holes, blackened skin or cracks signifies potential internal rotting                                   and existence of pests inside the flesh. Cracks especially at the bottom of the durian                                   tells the buyer that the fruit has dropped from its tree quite a few days ago and its not                               fresh and overripe. 

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Other things to look for when buying?

The below are some additional pointers which is not part of the grading process but still crucial in deciding which fruit to buy:

 

- Stalk end: White color on the stalk end indicates that the fruit dropped a few hours ago. After this,                             the end will turn to light brownish, dark brownish and then shrinkage will occur. Observing                         this will give any buyer an indication of how long the fruit has dropped and its level of                                 freshness.  

- Smell       : Ripe fruit will have that strong durian smell while unripe fruit will have much lesser smell                             and may not smell at all. A sour like smell tells that the fruit is past overripe (smells like                               tempoyak or fermented durian flesh).

- Feel when shaken: When the fruit is shaken closely to the ear, a good, ripe flesh shall have a sound                                             to it. This is because the flesh is loose but firm (not watery) and its not tight                                                       (means unripe). 

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